Harry POV

I crept silently from my bed trying to get to Anne's. I slid through the curtain. She jumped when she saw me, but immediately calmed when she realized who it was. She patted the seat beside her. I scrambled to sit beside her.

" They're lying to us. About something. I don't know what, yet. I'll find out."

" What are you talking about, Anne. They've been nothing, but kind to us. What's gotten your knickers in a twist." I looked at her incredulously. Why couldn't she just accept that we are in a good place? That I'm happy. She was happy, just yesterday. What changed?

" I had a nightmare. Last night. I left our room to use the loo. I heard them, talking about us. Saying how we were in the 'profit'. Saying that the paper said we either were abducted from our home or ran ourselves. Severus caught me listening. He sent Albus and Poppy away so he could speak with me. He asked me about my nightmare. I told him what happened in the beginning, but I couldn't finish. He looked angry at me for not telling him how it ended, but still allowed me to go back to our room . . ." She looked me in the eyes, terrified. " I think he knows."

Just like that . . . I couldn't breathe.

Poppy POV

" Severus? What does it say?" I asked him, starting to lose my pacientence. He let no emotion flash across his face, not for a second. He just simply stared at the paper, blank faced, emotionless. A sudden bout of anger took control of him. He thrust the paper to the floor. I quickly cast a silencing charm around the room. Severus paced angrily around the room, muttering to himself. " Severus," I asked him cautiously. His eyes flashed dangerously up to mine, enraged. I knew.

" He raped them! Both of them!" He screamed. I flattened myself against the wall keeping myself protected from his ongoing rage. He kicked and punched everything in his path.

He was in a full and complete bout of rage. I was about to go and find Albus when he just collapsed to his knees. " I promised her, Poppy."

" Promised who?"

" Lily . . . I promised Lily that I would keep them safe. And look, just look at what has happened to them. I should have never let Albus take them. I'm going to kill those awful people." And I believed him. Those awful muggles deserved it, but those children needed him.

" Severus, I understand and I'm sorry. But those children . . . those children just outside that door need you. They need you here. Not in Azkaban because you murdered their relatives. Justice will find them. I promise. I will do everything in my power to make sure they go away for life. They will. But those children need you. You stay here and compose yourself. I'll go and take them to breakfast. After breakfast I'll send them with Hagrid for the day. Alright?" He nodded his head, the vacant expression back on his face.

" Poppy . . . thank you." I gave him a sad smile and left the room to retrieve the children.

I opened Anne's curtain to find both her and Harry sitting on the bed. I smiled at them. It's so sad they have both been forced to become so secluded to themselves. " Come along, children. Let's go get some breakfast in you."

" Where's Severus?" Harry asked me, genuinely curious. Anne too, seemed curious.

" He has a . . . personal matter going on at the moment. I think it's best we leave him alone for a bit." Anne stepped in though, " Are you sure he's ok, though? Should we go check on him? What's wrong?" I smiled sadly at her concern.

" Unfortunately, I do not think he is alright, dear. I think it's best we leave him be anyway, though. It's a personal matter, dear. I'm sure he'll speak with the two of you about it later. Come along." They jumped off the bed to follow me out of the Hospital Wing. We strolled down the corridor towards the Great Hall. Everyone else was already seated at the table, minus Severus. Anne took the seat beside Albus. I sat beside her with Harry on the other side of me.

" Good morning, children!" Albus stated merrily. " Now where is Severus this morning?" He looked down at Anne as he asked this, but she turned to face me.

" He had a personal matter to attend to, Albus. Also, I need to speak with you after breakfast about getting something for the Hospital Wing." Albus nodded, understanding that wasn't what I wanted to speak to him about. " Oh and Hagrid? Would you mind taking the twins with you to your house and introducing them to some of the animals on the grounds."

" Oh, of course, Poppy. I would enjoy that very much." Hagrid smiled at Harry and Anne. "Thank you, Hagrid." He nodded and smiled his childish smile. I stared at my plate, trying to will myself to be hungry, but after what I learned this morning I couldn't. Albus wiped his mouth with a napkin and looked up to me, " If you are not going to eat, Poppy, we could go speak now." I nodded. I looked to Harry and Anne before I stood, " Now you two behave yourselves. After you've gone with Hagrid just carry yourselves on back to the Hospital Wing, alright?" They both nodded politely and went back to eating their breakfast. I stood from my seat and followed Albus towards his office. As soon as the door closed behind us the questions erupted from me.

" Why the HELL would you leave those poor children in that horrid house?! I can't believe it! The BLOODY STUPIDEST decision you have ever made! And what was Severus' connection to Lily Potter? Did they know each other well or something?" I rambled and ranted on. Albus sighed deeply and looked at a loss for words. Well, that's a first!

" Poppy, you have to understand that I had no other choice. There were still Death Eaters out and their relatives' houses had blood wards around it. We hadn't heard of any signs of abuse till Arabella brought it to our attention. I thought they were happy or at the very least safe. I know it was a stupid decision and should have been made with more delicate care. As for Severus and Lily I don't believe it's my place . . . -" I flared my eyes at him, informing him that this wasn't the time to hide things from me. " Severus and Lily knew each other well, before they arrived at Hogwarts. They lived in the same town and were best friends, inseparable. Even when they got placed in separate houses they still spent all time out of class together. In their 5th through their 7th year . . . they dated. They absolutely loved each other. In their 7th year, early in the year James Potter pulled an awful prank on Severus and Lily came to his aid, much to the amusement of James. Severus was embarrassed that Lily was trying to protect him and said ' I don't need your help, mudblood '. And Lily didn't speak to him again. She started dating James Potter later that year, which set Severus on edge. That's when he took the mark. After he left school he did all kinds of things, mainly potions work for You Know Who. He was at his home one night . . . before I speak of this Poppy, you must promise to not tell Severus what I know. He can't know. Not yet."

" I promise."

Anne POV

I watched suspiciously as Albus and Poppy walked away. I eventually decided I didn't care and went back to eating my breakfast. As I finished, Harry and Hagrid did as well. Hagrid raised an eyebrow asking us if we were done and we nodded.

" Alrighty, everyone! Ye all 'ave a good day! Come on ye two." Hagrid waved us along and we followed closely behind him. We walked out the back doors of the castle to a courtyard we'd never seen before. We crossed over a rickety old bridge and down a stone path to a quaint little hut just in front of the treeline. " Well, that's me home!" He smiled, but his cheeks turned a bit rosy as if embarrassed. I smiled at him, " It's lovely Mr. Hagrid!" He grinned from ear to ear at hearing this. " Ye know Anne, ye don't 'ave to call me Mr. Hagrid. Just Hagrid will do." Hagrid is like a large child and is very sweet.

We finally reached the hut and as soon as Hagrid opened the door a huge dog bounded out happily. It looked like a mastiff. He was huge and looked bigger than Harry and I combined. He came and jumped on my shoulders making me land on the ground. He slobbered all over my face and then proceeded to do the same to Harry.

We spent the rest of the morning playing with Hagrid's pets and I loved them all. I deemed this officially a great day. If only I had known what the afternoon would bring.